OKLAHOMA CITY – After qualifying for its first ever NAIA Tournament, the MACU Women's Soccer team will face off against Xavier (La.) in its First-Round match in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. at Danny Owens Field on the campus of William Carey University.
 
SEASON REPORT

• Record: 14-3-2
• Last Game: Lost at No. 21 Science & Arts – 5-0 – Nov. 8, 2024 – Chickasha, Okla.
• Top Performers:
  • Brae Baker – SO – F
    • 14 Goals, 7 Assists, 35 Points, 87 Shots, 49 SOG, 3 GWG
  • Stephanie Arrivillaga – FR – F
    • 7 Goals, 2 Assists, 16 Points, 27 Shots, 15 SOG, 2 GWG
  • Gladis Avalos – JR – F
    • 5 Goals, 3 Assists, 13 Points, 48 Shots, 25 SOG, 2 GWG
  • Rachel Torres – GR – GK
    • 14-3-2 W-L, 0.88 GAA, 69 Saves, .812 SV%, 8 SHO, 1 CBO
• Team Notes:
  • Mid-America Christian was able its first ever NAIA Tournament appearance after putting together one of its most successful regular seasons in program history as not only did MACU conclude Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament play with a 14-3-2 overall record, but also captured a share of the program's first ever SAC regular season title with an 8-1 league mark.
  • At the conclusion the season, the Evangels placed a program record four players on the All-SAC First Team as senior defender Asley Baker was named the SAC Newcomer of the Year on-top of being one of the First Team honorees while her sister sophomore forward Brae Baker was also named to the top squad along with senior midfielder Francesca Martella and junior defender Cammy Hargrove.
  • MACU also raked in the NCCAA All-Central Region accolades as Brae Baker was named the region's Player of the Year, fourth-year head coach Anthony Yousey was tabbed as the Coach of the Year for the second-straight year while Annika Gerdau, Asley Baker and Jasie Eischen were also selected to the regional team.
  • The Evangels will be looking to bounce-back from a rough exit from the SAC Tournament as MACU had to play in wet conditions at No. 21 Science & Arts in the semifinal before suffering a tough 5-0 defeat.

SCOUTING REPORT
Xavier (La.)

• Record: 13-5-2 (10-2-1 RRAC)
• Last Game: Tied vs. LSU-Alexandria – 2-2 (Adv. 2-1 on PKs) – Nov. 14, 2024 – Texarkana, Texas (RRAC Championship)
• Series vs MACU: First Meeting
• Last Match vs MACU: N/A
• Series Streak: N/A
• Players to Watch:
  • Samira Roper – JR – F
    • 19 Goals, 5 Assists, 43 Points, 47 Shots, 27 SOG, 2 GWG
  • Luci Schroeder – SR – M
    • 13 Goals, 17 Assists, 43 Points, 54 Shots, 30 SOG, 1 GWG
  • Julia de Souza – SR – M
    • 10 Goals, 10 Assists, 30 Points, 43 Shots, 27 SOG, 4 GWG
  • Theresa Wiesiolek – SR – GK
    • 10-3-2 W-L, 1.00 GAA, 59 Saves, .787 SV%, 5 SHO
• Team Notes:
  • Xavier enters the NAIA postseason riding some big time momentum after winning the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament to earn an automatic berth. After battling LSU-Alexandria to a 2-2 draw through two overtimes, the Gold Nuggets claimed the title after out-shooting LSUA 2-1 in the postgame penalty kick shootout.
  • XULA features one of the highest-powered offenses in the NAIA as the Gold Nuggets rank 12^th in the NAIA in total points (213) while averaging 3.75 goals per game and have dished out the 11^th-most assists (63).
  • The Gold Nuggets feature two top end talents in senior midfielder Luci Schoeder, who was selected as the RRAC Offensive Player of the Year with 43 points on 13 goals and 17 assists while junior forward Samira Roper garnered the RRAC Newcomer of the Year award after scoring a team-high 19 goals to go with five assists for 43 points as well. All-RRAC First Team goalkeeper Theresa Wiesiolek has been a tough customer in the nets for XULA, posting a 1.00 goals allowed average and has made 59 saves for a .787 save percentage.
  • Thursday night's contest will mark the first ever meeting between Mid-America Christian and Xavier.